West Coast

Canada is a treasure trove of rivers, lakes and wetlands supporting countless communities, economies and species. With freshwater species experiencing the greatest rate of decline in what is being referred to as the sixth great extinction, Canada must step up efforts to improve watershed health for people and animals. For a prime example of our freshwater health and wealth, we need to look no further than the Skeena watershed on the northwest coast of British Columbia.

Every summer heavily forested areas leave animals and humans alike susceptible to wildfires. By July of this year, British Columbia saw over 189 active fires burning -- a number that Professional Organizers in Canada says is too high to not be prepared.

Cocktails on the beach are nice but, at times, we prefer a more active holiday -- something that beautiful Squamish, B.C., delivers in spades. With our gear securely loaded into our Chevy Colorado, we recently made the one-hour drive from Vancouver to Canada's outdoor adventure capital for some serious physical fun.

Many of us love autumn; the sticky heat of summer passes, and we're able to sleep comfortably at night. We revel in the colours of fall and our maple trees embody natural Canadian beauty. But what about our yards? How do we make the most of the change of seasons? How can we make the most out of fall?

Last month parts of Alberta were struck with a devastating flood. As we watched the horrific images of beloved Canadian cities immersed in water, Canadians felt connected like never before to its thriving midwest.
I arrived in Calgary the day after the flood had devastated most of Calgary's vibrant downtown and surrounding cities.

My recent trip had me visit both Vancouver and Victoria B.C., after loving and having to leave Portland, Oregon. There is something magical, a very different energy I experience in all places west of the Rockies. I've also been interested and curious to find how many West Coast cities are far and away leaders in the green and environmental movements. I hadn't been to Vancouver for many years and found, it too was living up to its vision of creating a greener future for the city.
I believe that if you want to know the future, create it. This is exactly what Vancouver is doing. With a pretty bold future oriented vision to become the greenest city in the world by 2020, they are already well on the way to accomplishing their goal. According to the city, they currently have "the smallest carbon footprint of any major city in North America and we're a leader in green building, planning and technology." Impressive.

Much like in the salt spray-soaked blockbuster, this perfect storm is a coalescing of a number of smaller systems, but instead of scruffy-faced celebrities at the center, this storm is dead set to converge on the rights of Indigenous peoples, the rights of workers, and on any hopes of a just and sustainable future.